Adjustable handle for bicycles



(No Model.)

J. P. BRUNNBR & E. J. LAUFPBR,

ADJUSTABLE HANDLE POR BIGYGLES.

No. 556,958. Patented Mar. 24, Y1.895.

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UNITED STATES PATENT Enron JOllhT F. BRENNER AND EMIL J. LAUFFER, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

ADJUSTABLE HANDLE FOR BICYCLES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters -Patent No. 556,958, dated March 24, 1896i.

Application tiled October 28, 1895. Serial No. 567,106. (No model.)

To will whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, JOHN F. BRUNNEE and EMIL J. LAUFFEE, of Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented cert-ain new and useful Improvements in Adjustablellandles for Bicycles; and we do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention. such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same.

Our invention relates to improvements in bicycles, and more particularly to the handle and steering stem or head and the connection of the two with the crown of the fork which supports or acts as journals for the steeringwheel; and it consists in the peculiar construct-ion and combination of parts, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth and claimed,` whereby the steering-handle may be adjusted up or down to suit the convenience of the rider without the necessity of the rider dismounting from the machine.

In. the drawings, Figure l is a vertical section illustrating the device made according to our invention. Fig. 2 is a view in section taken through line :c so, Fig. l, showing more clearly the construction of our preferred clutch device. Figs. 3 and 4 are enlarged sectional views taken through the clutch de vice, showing more clearly its construction and operation.

A represents a portion of the frame of the machine, to which is attached the tubular bearing at the front end of the bicycle, said tubular bearing being formed in the usual and preferred manner, and having journaled in it the steering-post B, which is connected to the crown of the fork supporting the steering-wheel. This steering-post B is supported at its upper and lower portions by means of the usual collars C C and having thc usual antitriction balls or rollers.

D is the clampingcollar which is used to hold in position the steering-post B, and which is operated by means of a nut D' and also provided with a handle D2. Extending into the interior of the steering-post is a tube E, which is so constructed as to fit snugly within the steeringpost, but at the saine time in such a manner as to allow of a free npand-down sliding motion. To this tube E are secured in any suitable manner the handlebars E', the same being rigidly fastened thereto. F represents stem of irregular shape in cross-section-namely, square, triangular, oval, hexagon, or any other shape of analogous character. This stem F is permanently secured to the crown-piece of the fork which. supports the steering-wheel, and through it the steering-post is also secured to the fork by means of the nut f. As hereinbeforc stated, the stein E being of irregular shape always keeps the steering-post in proper position in relation to the steering-wheel and does not allow of any misadjustinent of the steeringpost in relation to the saine, as it is always desirable that the handles which operate the steering-post shall be approximately at right angles to the steering-wheel.

At the lower end of the tube E is provided an end piece e, which has a square or irregular-shaped aperture which corresponds with the shape of the stem F and through which said stem passes. Directly above this end piece e we provide a clamping-piece G, which consists of a bushing G inserted in the lower end of the tube E, and having in its interior a pivoted oscillating piece G2. This oscillating piece G2 we prefer to construct as shown in the drawings, Figs. 2, S, and i-nainelyg forming it of two pieces g q2-the piece g having a sharp upper edge and the piece g2 having a sharp lower edge, so that when the clamping-piece G is oscilla-ted it will either clamp the stem F by means of the sharp edges or release it, depending upon whether the outer edge is raised or lowered. ln order to operate this clamping-piece at the lower end of the tube E, we provide a rod H, which is connected to the outer part g of the clamp G at its lower end and to a bell-crank lever J at its upper end. Hence it will be noticed that as the bell-crank lever JK is operated in one direction or the other the clamp will be low ered or raised, and hence released or tightened upon the stem F. The longer arm j of the bell-crank lever J is connected with an adjustable button K, by means of which it is operated. This button K in turn is held in an outward or normal position by means of a spring L, which always tends by its resiliency to hold the long arm of the bell-crank lever J out and hence pull the small arm upward,

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and through the medium of the rod H operate the clamp G so that it Will hold the stein F in a predetermined position.

To operate our device all that is necessary is to loosen nut D by means of the handle D2, so as to loosen the clamp which releases the steering-post, the button K which releases the clamp at rthe lower end of tube E, and allow the handle to be raised or lowered, as desired, and thus held until nut D is tightened. It will thus be seen that the rider can at his option raise or lower the handle-bar while mounted without the use of a tool or other device.

That we claim isl. In a bicycle, the combination with the steering-post, of an internal tube adapted to slide in said steering-post, said internal tube provided, at its upper end7 with steeringhandles, and at its lower end with a clamp adapted to engage a rod extending upward from the fork of the steering-wheel, all substantially as and for the purpose shown and described.

2. In a bicycle, the combination with a steering-post secured at its lower end to the fork of the steering-wheel, and an irregularshaped rod secured to the head of the fork and extending upward, of an internal tube provided, at its upper end, with steerin ghandles, and at its lower end with a clamping device adapted to engage said rod for the purpose shown.

In testimony whereof we sign this specification, in the presence of two witnesses, this 23d day of September, 1895.

JOHN F. BRUNNER. EMIL J. LAUFFER. lVitnesses:

XV. E. DONNELLY, ELLA E. TILDEN. 

